™«j;^] LEGENDS 557 



membered were the words of the young woman. It was after the 

 dawn of day that he awoke. Uncovering his head, he found that 

 he was quite alone, and that, in fact, the young woman was not any- 

 where around. He was greatly astonished at what had happened, 

 and said to himself in wonder : " What is this that has befallen me ? 

 Now, indeed, has come to puss perhaps what my dear mother has 

 been saying to me, for has she not kept telling me that I would be 

 punished sooner or later for my unreasoning attitude toward those 

 who have desired to marry me. Now I shall start for my home, for 

 I am seized with fear." 



He set to work at once making up his pack and putting the lodge 

 in order for his departure. When he had completed his prepara- 

 tions he started for home. 



At the end of the day's journey he camped for the night in the 

 place where he usually stopped for this purpose. After kindling a 

 hot fire in the temporary shelter he set to work warming some pieces 

 of cold meat which he had brought with him, and then sat down to 

 eat his supper. When he had finished his meal he made ready to 

 rest for the night. It was quite dark, for the evening was then far 

 spent. As he sat resting he was suddenly surprised to hear noises 

 that seemed to draw nearer and nearer. He could plainly hear the 

 sounds, sa", sd^', sd''', and also sounds caused by the moving aside 

 and breaking of sticks and small twigs, and the branches of trees 

 falling. Seized with a great fear, he at once added small dry sticks 

 to the fire, which blazed up, giving a great light, which enabled him 

 to see whether anything was approaching his shelter. Suddenly he 

 saw standing at the end of the illumined space a very large woman. 

 After a moment's hesitation she came up to the opposite side of the 

 lire and, addressing the now thoroughly frightened young man, said : 

 "It is just this: I have come here with the desire that you should 

 give me a portion of meat." To look at her one would have thought 

 that she was in all respects a human being, as she stood gazing toward 

 the youth. As quickly as possible he took from his pack a quarter of 

 meat, which he heaved over the fire toward the woman, who caught 

 it. Then she began to eat it, while the blood dripped down on her 

 breast and over her garments. Thus she ate up a quarter of meat. 

 When she had finished she said : " The only thing for you to do is to 

 return to this place in the autumn, when the season changes again." 

 So saying, she turned at once and started away, leaving the young 

 man more astonished than ever. Soon she was lost to view in the 

 darkness. 



Thereupon the youth was seized with great fear, and he kept say- 

 ing to himself: "Now indeed has been fulfilled the saying of my 

 dear mother; I am suffering the penalty which she told me would 

 befall for my refusal to marry some of the marriageable daughters 



